Head-end control surgical operating table



July 24, 1962 Filed July 24, 1958 BIO H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAL 3,046,071

INVENTORS. HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE ROY T. ADOLPHSON 2. BY JOHN DOUGLASS, JR.

July 24, 1962 H. R. sHAMPAlNE ETAT. 3,046,071

HEAD-END CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1958 mm@ v ATT Y.

July 24, 1962 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAI. 3,045,071

HEAD-END CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm .OE

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INVENTORS. L-IYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE ROY T AIOLPHSON BY JOHN DOUGLASS,JR.

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July 24, 1962 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAI.

READ-END coNTRoL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 24, 1958 INVENTOR S. HYMAN ROBERT SHAMFAI NE ROYT AlOLPHSON BY JOHN DOUGLASSJR ATTY.

July 24, 1962 H. R. sHAMPAlNE r-:TAL 3,046,071

HEAD-END CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 24, 1962 H. R.sHAMPA1NE ETAL 3,046,071

HEADEND CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE l2 Sheets-Shea?l 6 Filed July 24. 1958 I 2721/(216 L Flg I HB FIG I3 v` v ,g 293 INVENTORS. HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE ROY T. ADoLPHsoN & JOHN DOUGLASS, JR.

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July 24, 1962 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAL 3,046,071

HEAD-ENO CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 F1620 L Z,

lNVENTOF. HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE ROY T.' AD&O LPHSON BY JOHN DOUGLASS JR.

ATT Y.

July 24, 1962 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAL 3,046,071

HEAD-END CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 1958 12 Sheets-Shea?l 9 )T /OO 203 a"` l 5| iifl' 219 L@ t 202 'il 2W 193/ 46, |94) (,62 La@ .63 M64 F1626 FIG. 27

INVENTOR HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE FDY T. AD80LPHSON BY JOHN DOUGLASS ,JR

ATT Y.

July 24, 1962 H. R.SHAMPA1NE ETAL 3,046,071

HEAD-END CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 mY T A L PHSON BY JOHN DOUGLASS,JR.

ATT 'Y.

July 24, 1962 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAL 3,045,071

READ-ENO OONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE 12 Sheets-Sheet l1 Filed July 24, 1958 BY ATT` July 24, 1952 H. R. SHAMPAINE ETAL 3,046,071

HEAD-ENO CONTROL SURGICAL OPERATING TABLE Filed July 24, 195s 12 sheets-sheet 12 m t A l2 Q LL o r w t E Q L..

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co m 0' TNVENTORS. E HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE ROY T, ADSQLPHSON BY JOHN DOUGLA'SS, JR.

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astanti Patented .Italy 24, 1932 dee 3,046,071 HEAD-END CGNTRL SURGICAL FERATING TABLE Hyman Robert Shampaine, Dronlara Road, Ladue 24, M0., Roy T. fadolplison, Webster Groves, and .lohn Douglass, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.; said Adolphson and said Douglass aasignors to said Shampaine Filed .Inly 24, 1953, Ser. No. 753,711 22 Claims. (Cl. 311-7) This invention relates in general to surgical apparatus, and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in operating tables of the type ordinarily used in performing major surgery.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an operating table having an articulated top which, as a unit, may be laterally and longitudinally tilted and may be adjusted so that various sections of the top may assume a variety of positions required by different surgical operations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an operating table of the type stated in which tbe topsection adjusting controls are located near the head of the table and are accessible to the anesthetist or other person manipulating the operating table from the seated position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an operating table ofthe type stated in which the topsections are controlled by a push-button type selector panel and two operating handles, all of which are located on a pair of control `arms and outside of the sterile eld.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an operating table of the type stated which is capable of assuming a materially greater complementary flex angle than has heretofore been obtainable.

lt is an additional object of the present invention to provide an operating table of the type stated which eliminates the need for a separate operating handle for the kidney or body elevator and also allows a single handle control for adjustment of the proctoscopic position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an operating table of the type stated in which the body elevator' will always substantially bisect the angle between the seat and back-sections of the table irrespective of their relative positions.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an operating table of the type stated which permits movement of the table to and from Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg position without disturbing any pre-set relative position of the table top-sections.

With the above and other objects in View, our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings (twelve sheets)- FIG. l is a top plan view of `an operating table constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 4 4, 5 5, 6 6, and 7 7, respectively, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken a long line 9 9' of FIG. 2;

FIG. l0 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line id lll of FIG. 9;

FIG. ll is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line Il l of FIG. 2;

FIG. l2 is a fragmentaryv sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly broken away and in section, of the right side of the seatsection;

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines M ld, 1S 15, 16 16, 17' Il7, 13 18, and 19 I9 respectively, of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line Ztl-Ztl of FIG. l;

FIGS. 2l and 22 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 21 2.l, 22 2Z of FIG. 20;

IG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 2l;

FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27 are fragmentary sectional viewstaken along lines 24 24, 25 25, 'E6-26, 27 27, respectively, of FIG. 12;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2% 23 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of right arm assembly;

FIG. 3l is a. fragmentary sectional view taken along line 31 3l of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 33 of FIG. 3l;

FIG. 34 is a sectional'view taken along line 34 34 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the push-button assembly forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a side elevational View of the operating table showing the back-section elevated;

FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of the operating table in the reverse Trendelenberg position;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational View of the operating table in the Trendelenberg position;

FIG. 39 is a side elevational View of the operating table in the ex position and showing the body elevator raised;

FIG. 40` is -a side elevational View of the operating table in the proctoscopic position;

FIG. 4l is a side elevational View of the operating table in the reflex position;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational View of the operating table in the neuro-surgical position;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the operating table and showing the leg-section lowered; and

IG. 44 is a front elevational view of the operating table showing the lateral tilt position.

Broadly speaking, the operating table of the present invention comprises an articulated top consisting of a backsection, a seat-section, a leg-section and a so-called kidney elevator intermediate the back and seat-sections. The seat-section is supported on a large casting operatively mounted on the upper end of a supporting base, and also pivoted to the casting and located below the back-section are right and left control arms. The right control arm is provided with a crank and a push-button controlled selector mechanism whereby the basic table-top positions can be obtained through a mechanical drive system. Thus, by operation of the right arm crank in conjunction with the push-button selector mechanism it is possible to control;

spasmi Combinations of these basic movements permit the table to be placed in any position required for surge-ry. The left control arm is used to shift the table to Trendelenberg positions and the table may be moved to Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg position independently of the relative positions of the top-sections.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of the present invention, A designates an operating table comprising a base member 1 provided with depending casters 2 and its `four cor-ners with oor contacting jacks 3. Mounted on and extending upwardly from the base member 1 somewhat centrally thereof is a pedestal 4 which slidably supports a vertically shiftable hydraulic piston 5, the upper end of which has a cap casting or saddle 6 bolted thereto. The jacks 3 and hydraulic piston` are movable responsive to actuation of a foot pedal 7 which is operatively connected interiorly of the base member 1 to a suitable hydraulic mechanism of the type commonly utilized with such structures. Since the present invention does not relate to the hydraulic mechanism, the vstructure is not shown or described in detail.

Mounted in the cap casting 6 is a shaft S for rockably supporting a laterally tiltable yoke 9 having a gear segment 10 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. Formed on the yoke 9 are transversely aligned bearing supports 11, 12, for receiving bearings 13, 14, the latter journaling a worm shaft integrally provided with a worm 16, and mounted on the cap casting 6 by means of bolts 17 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a gear segment 18, which meshes with `the worm 16. Also mounted in the bearing supports 11, 12, and extending outwardly therefrom are sleeves 19, 249 which slidably t into trun-nions 211, 22, integrally formed on a seat casting 23. Secured to the seat casting 23 is a `right side plate -24 and a left side plate 25, and disposed over the side plates 24, 25, are cover plates 26, 27. Also mounted on the s eat casting 23 is a horizontal top cover or seat panel 28.

Mounted in the seat casting 23 and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom is a .pin 29 which projects through a bearing 36 mounted in one end of the right 'arm casting 31 which extends in downwardly spaced relation to the back-section 32 as seen in FIG. 2. Formed in `the arm Vcasting 31 are end walls 33, 34, and intermediate walls 35, 36, providedV with aligned bearings 37, 38, 39, dit, which journal a drum shaft 41 and a clutch shaft ft2, the latter being provided on its forward end with a universal joint 43 for operative connection to a main drive shaft 44, Shiftably mounted on the drum shaft 41 is a selector drum 45 integrally provided on one end with a collar d6 having a pair of diametrally opposed axially extending pins 47, 43, which are adapted to slidably project into holes 49, 50, formed in a gear 51. The gear 51 is rotatably mounted on the drum shaft 41 and is restrained against axial movement therealong by means of a retaining ring 52 and a thrust washer 53. integrally formed on the other end of the selector drum 45 is a collar 54 provided with diametrally opposed axial holes '55, 56 for slidably receiving a spring biased pin 57, the latter projecting axially outwardly from a drum clutch 58 rigidly mountedon the drum shaft 41. Encircling Vthe drum shaft 41 is a retainer spring 59, the opposite ends of which bear against the collar 54 and the drum clutch 53. Intermediate the collars 46, 54, the selector drum 45 is integrally provided with spaced annular flanges 60, 61, and

the'a'nges 6i), 6 1 and the ycollar 54 are 'each provided with slot 63, 64, 65, the slots 63, 64, 65, being axially olfset from each other a predetermined number of degrees and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Rigidly mounted on the clutch shaft 4t2 adjacent the wall 35 is a clutch 66 provided with a spring biased pin 67 which projects axially outwardly thereof and projects into any one of a plurality of holes 6d formed in an engagement collar 69, the latter being mounted on the drum shaft i1 for axial sliding movement thereon by means of key 7d. The engagement collar 69 and end collar 416 are each provided with an annular groove 71, 72, for receiving the upturned ends of an engagement link 73 whereby the selector drum 45 and engagement collar 69 are axially shiftable in unison along the drum shaft 41. Projecting inwardly from the side walls 74, 75, of the arm casting 31 are tapped bosses 76, 77, 78, 79, which receive screws 80, $1, 82, 83, for mounting support plates 84, 85, and the mounting screws 80, 81 also secure a guide plate S6 against the bosses 76, 77. Slidable along the plates 84, 85, 86, is a longitudinally shiftable catch plate S7 having a spring 88 connected to kone end thereof, the other end of the spring @S being secured to an eye bolt 39 mounted in the wall 35. integrally formed on the catch plate S7 are three U-shaped bars 90, 91, 92, including arms 93,

94, 95, 16, 97, 98, which are disposed on either side of the selector drum 45 and terminate in downwardly spaced relation to the center line thereof.

Rigidly mounted in the side walls 74, 75, and projecting inwardly therefrom are six pins 99, 106, 161, 1112., 1513, 10ft, for rockably supporting six push-buttons 165, 1116, 167, 163, 109, 11G, and disposed encirclingly around the pins 99, 161?, 1111, 192, 163, 11M, are springs 111, 111,2, 113, 114, 115, 116, which are secured at one end in the side Walls`74, 75, and at their other ends bear against the push-buttons 105, 166, 11i-7, 108, 169, 116, so as to bias the push-buttons in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from FIG. 3. Also formed on the push-buttons 105, 166, 167, 103, 1G?, 11%, and projecting laterally inwardly therefrom are actuator pins 117, 118, 119, 129, 121, 122, which are approximately the same size as the slots 63, 64, 65, and are adapted to bear against the flanges 6i?, 61, and collar 54, and each of the push-buttons 165, 136, 107, 103, 109, 11h, is further provided with a catch shoulder 123, 12d, 125, 126, 127, 128, which is adapted for releasable latch-forming engagement with the arms 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, all for purposes presently more fully appearing. Preferably, the push-buttons 195, 166, 107, 168, 109, 116 project upwardly through a top cover plate `129 which is secured to the arm casting 31 somewhat centrally thereof.

Rigid-ly mounted in the wall 36 is a bearing 13d for rotatably supporting a flexible shaft 131 which extends in downwardly spaced parallel relation to the drum shaft 41 and is provided on one end with a selector pinion 132 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 131 by means of a diametrally extending pin 133. As best seen by reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the selector pinion 132 meshes with the selector gear 51. Also rigidly mounted in the walls 34, 35 is a sleeve 134- through which the flexible shaft 131 projects. Rigidly mounted on the drum shaft al adjacent the end wall 33 is a bevel gear 135 Vwhich meshes with a bevel gear 136 mounted on a handle shaft `137, the latter being journaled in an offset portion 13S of the end wall 33 by means of a bearing 139, and mounted on the end of the handle shaft 137 is a crank handle 140.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-25 it will be seen that the flexible shaft 131 projects outwardly of the arm casting 31 and is journaled at its end in the right side plate 24 by means of a bearing 141. Rigidly mounted on the flexible shaft 131 is aL pinion 142 which meshes with a gear 1li-3 rigidly mounted on a cam shaft 14d, the latter Y also being rotatably mounted in the right side plate 24 by means of bearings 145, 146. Rigidly mounted on the cam shaft 144 are ve cams 147, 1418, 1453, 151i, 151, which are adapted to receive follower pins 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, `157, mounted on and projecting outwardly from six clutch actuators 15S, 159, 16d, 161, 162, 163. The clutch actuators 153, 1:5, 160, 161, 162, 163, are slidably mounted on spaced parallel shafts 164, 165, which are rigidly secured in the right side plate 2f.; in spaced parallel relation to thecam shaft 14'. Preferably, lthe clutch actuators 15S, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, each include ball `bushings 166, so as to be freely slidable on the shafts 164, 165, with a relatively small amount of friction. Co axial with the cam shaft 144 is a stub shaft 167 which is journaled in bearings 168, 169, and is, furthermore, provided with sprockets 1711, 171, rigidly mounted thereon. The clutch actuators S, 159, 161i, are, furthermore, provided with arms 172, y173, 174, for slidable engagement with clutches 175, 176, 177, each having a clutch pin 178, 179, 1811, and the clutches 175, 176, 177, are keyed or otherwise mounted for axial shifting movement on the main drive shaft 44.

As seen =by reference to FIG. the main drive shaft 44 is also journaled in the right side plate 24 by means of bearings 181, 182, 183, and rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft 44 adjacent the clutch 175 is a quill 184 which is `releasably engageable with the clutch pin 178. Mounted on the quill 184 is a pair of sprockets 135, 186. Also rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft 44 adjacent the clutch 176 is a quill 187 which is releasably engageable with the clutch pin 179, and formed on the quill 187 is a sprocket 183. Also fixed to the main drive shaft 44 .adjacent the bearing 132 is a sprocket 159, and rotatably mounted on the shaft 44 adjacent the clutch 177 is a quill 190 which is releasably engageable with the clutch pin 181B. Rigidly mounted on the end of the quill 196 is `a `sprocket 191, `and adjacent the bearing 131 the main drive shaft 44 is provided with ya set collar 192;V

The clutch actuators 161, 162, 163 are provided with arms 193, 194, 195 for slidable engagement with clutches 196, 197, 198, the latter also including clutch pins 199, 260, 201. As best seen by reference to FIG. 26 the clutches 196, 197 are keyed or otherwise mounted for axial shifting movement along a shaft 2112 which is journaled in the right side plate 24 by lmeans of bearings 293, 204. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 2il2 is a quill 205 which is releasably engageable by the clutch pin 199, and formed -on the quill 295 is a sprocket 296. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 2112 adjacent to and on either side of the bearing 2114 is a set collar 267 and `a sprocket 2418. Rotatably mounted in the right `side plate 24 by means `of bearings 2119, 21@ is a `shaft 211 which is coaxial with the shaft 202 and is provided on one end with a collar 212 which is releasably engageable with the clutch pin 21311. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 211 is a sprocket 213 and shift'ably mounted on the other end of the shaft 211 is the clutch 198, the pin 201 of which is releasably en gageable with a disc 214, the latter being rigidly mounted on one end of a `shaft 215. The vshaft 215 is coaxial with the shaft 211 `and is rotatably mounted in aligned bearings 216, 217, `which are fixed in a boss 213 integrally formed on the seat casting 23, and rigidly secured `on the end of the shaft 215 is a bevel gear 219. The bevel gear 219 meshes with a similar bevel gear 220 which is mounted on the end of the worm shaft 15.

Rotatably mounted in the right side plate 24 in upwardly and outwardly spaced parallel relation to the shaft 262 by means of aligned bearings 223, 224, 225 is a shaft 226 provided adjacent one end with a worm 227 which meshes `with `a Worm wheel 22S rigidly mounted on a cross shaft 229, the latter being rotatably supported in bearings 2311, 231. Mounted on the shaft 226 adjacent the bearing 224 is a set collar 232 and Ialso rigidly mounted on the shaft 226 adjacent the bearing 223 is a gear 233 which meshes with a gear 234 mounted on a stu-b shaft 235, the latter being in downwardly and outwardly spaced parallel relation to the shaft 226 and rotatably supported in the right side plate 24 by means of bearings 236, 237. Also mounted on the stub shaft 235 is a sprocket 238. Also rotatably mounted in the right side plate 24 in laterally outwardly spaced parallel relation to the shaft 292 by means of bearings 239, 2443` is -a shaft 241 provided with spaced sprockets 242, 243, and, furthermore, rotatably mounted in the right side plate 24 by means of bearings 244, 245 is a shaft 246 having a sprocket 247 and a worm 248 rigidly mounted thereon, the latter being adapted to mesh with a Worm Wheel 249 which is rigidly mounted on the end of a transversely extending kidney elevator drive shaft 259.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-19 it `will be seen that a roller chain 251 is trained around the sprockets 185, 2116 so as to provide a drive connection between the shafts 44, 202, and, similarly, trained around the sprockets 18S, 23S is a roller chain 252, thereby providing a driving connection between the shafts 44, 235. The sprocket 136 on the main drive shaft 44 is in alignment with the sprocket 171 on the shaft 167 and trained around the sprockets 171, 136 is a roller chain 253. Similarly trained around the sprocket 139 on the shaft 44 is a roller chain 254 which is also operatively trained around the sprocket 213 on the shaft 211. Likewise trained around the sprocket 191 on the main drive shaft 44 is a roller chain 255 which is, in turn, trained around the `sprocket 247 on the shaft 246, and operatively trained around the sprocket 170 on the shaft 167 is a roller chain 256 which is also trained around the sprocket 243 on the shaft 241.

As seen by reference to FiGS. l1, 13, and 20, the kidney elevator shaft 25@ is rotatable in spaced aligned bearings 257, 253 which are mounted in the seat casting 23, and rockably mounted on the shaft 25@ are spaced rack guides 259, 26), each of which is integrally provided with sleeves 261, 262. Shiftably mounted in the sleeves 261, 262 are spaced parallel rack bars 263, 264, which project upwardly through oval shaped `clearance holes 265, 266, formed in the upper surface of the Seat casting 23, and at their upper ends the racks 263, 264 are rigidly cross-connected by means of a body or kidney elevator plate 267 which extends intermediate the seat plate 23 and back-section 32. Rigidly mounted on the shaft 2511 are spaced pinions 2676i, 267i), which mesh, respectively, with the rack bars 263, 264.

integrally formed on and depending from the rack guide 259 is an arm 26S which is provided with `an elongated slot 269 for slidably receiving a pin 27@ mounted on andv projecting laterally outwardly from a link 271. The link 271 is provided with spaced parallel `offset slots 272, 273, the slot 273 being adapted to receive a sleeve 274 which is mounted on the shaft 229 adjacent the wor-m wheel 223. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 229 is a pinion 275 which meshes with a back-section gear 276 rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft 277 located in downwardly and `forwardly spaced parallel relation to the shaft 229. The shaft 277 projects through the `slot 272 and is provided yadjacent the link 271 with a retaining ring 278. Formed in the gear 276 is -a cam slot 279 having a straight portion 28@ and a circular portion 231 which is concentric with the shaft 277. Mounted on the link 271 intermediate the slots 272, 273 is a roller 282 which rides in the `cam slot 279, and at the end `opposite the slot 273 the link 271 is provided with an elongated slot 283 for slidably receiving kan actuator pin 284 which is mounted in the arm casting 31 in downwardly spaced parallel relation to the pivot pin 29.

Bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the gear 276 is a back-section arm 235 which projects outwardly from the seat casting 23 and is provided on its outer end with a roller 236. The roller 286 rides in a trackway 237 which is mounted on the underside of the back-section 32 `as seen in FIG. 2. The back-section 32 is, furthermore, rockably secured to the seat casting 23 by means 0f pins t 288, 289. If desired, a manually adjustable head rest 29! may be mounted `on the end of the back-section 32.

Trained around the sprocket 242 is a roller chain 291- which extends racross the seat casting 23 and is also trained around a sprocket 292 which is mounted on a worm shaft 293. The Worm shaft 293 is rotatably mounted in bear ings 294. 295. which are fixed in the seat casting 23 and mounted on the shaft 293 adjacent the bearing 294 is an adjusting collar 296. Rigidly mounted on the worm shaft 293 intermediate the sprocket 292 and collar 296 is a worm 297 which meshes with a Worm wheel segment 293 mounted on a cross shaft 299, the latter being rotatable in the -left :side plate 25. Keyed or otherwise rigidly mounted in the shaft 2,99 `and movable with the worin wheel segment 29S is a leg-section control arm 360 which is pivotally secured at its outer end to one end of a legsection link 301 by means of a pin 302. The link 3M, in turn, extends upwardly and is pivotally secured to the underside of a leg-section 393 by means of la pin 3&4. The leg-section 363 is, furthermore, rockably mounted on pins 395, 306, which are, in turn, secured to crutch socket brackets 3667, 308, the latter being bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the `seat casting 23 iand side plates 2d, 25.

As will be seen by reference to FGS. 1 and 2 the crutch socket brackets 3tl7, 308, if desired, may be suitably provided with removable crutch sockets 39%, and, furthermore, the back-section 32, seat-section 2S, and legsection 3tl3 may also be provided at the lateral margins thereof with side rails 3H for mounting various types of attachments ordinarily found on major operating tables.

operatively trained aroundjthe sprocket is a roller chain 3t2 which extends transversely across the seat casting 23 and is also trained around a sprocket 313 which is mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft 314 journaied in the left-hand side of the seat casting 23 by means of bearings Sie', 316, 3i7. Similarly mounted on the shaft 334 adjacent the bearing Sie' is a sprocket 3% around which is trained a roller chain 319, the latter, in turn, also being traine-:l around a sprocket 32d mounted on a sleeve 321. The sleeve 32l is rotatably mounted n the shaft 322 which is journaled in the seat casting 23 in downwardly spaced parallel relation to the shaft SFA. Secured to the shaft 322 by means of a pin 323 and being axially shiftable therealong is a double acting' clutch 324 which is engageable with a clutch jaw 325 rigidly provided on the sleeve B2i by a pin 32451. The clutch 324 is also provided with a pin 32 which is eugageable with a gear 327 rotatably mounted on the shaft 322, and integrally formed on the hub of the gear 327 is a somewhat pointed cam 328 for purposes presently more fully appearing. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft l 322 adjacent the cam 323 is a sprocket 329 around which is Vtrained a roller chain 33t?, the roller chain 33t being, in turn, trained around a sprocket 33E.. As best seen by reference to FIGS. and 2l the sprocket 33l is rigidly mounted on the end of a Trendelenberg worm shaft 332 which is rotatably mounted in the left side plate and is provided with a worm 333 which meshes with the gear segment lll,

Referring now to FlGS. 20, 28, 29, it will be seen that the shaft 314 is rigidly provided adjacent the bearing 3l7 with a cam 334, and also operatively mounted on the shaft 314i is a shift yoke assembly 335 and a release plate 336, the shift yoke assembly 335 and release plate 336 being normally urged in tbe'direction of the cam 334 by means of compression springs 337, 338, and extending outwardly from the shift yoke assembly 335 is a shift fork 339 which operates the clutch 324. This shift yoke assembly 335 comprises a sleeve Sli-ll which encircles the shaft 314 and the shift fork 335i` is welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, Vto the sleeve 340, Rotatably mounted on the sleeve 34) are spaced parallel discs 341V, 34;,- which are restrained against axial movement along the sleeve 34%) by meansA of retaining rings 343, 344. Also rigidly mounted on the sleeve 34th in spaced relation to the disc 341 is an arm 345, and connected at their opposite ends to the arms. 339, 345, and discs 3ds, 342, are spaced tension springs 346, 347. Mounted in and projecting radially outwardly from the sleeve 34th are spaced parallel stop pins 348, 349, which are adapted to abut stop pins 35i); 351, mounted in and projecting outwardly from the discs 341, 342. Shiftably mounted in the arms 339, 34:5, in spaced parallel relation to the sleeve 34@ is a plunger 352, the forward end of which rides on the cam 334-. Mounted on the plunger 352 adjacent the arm 345 is a retaining ring 353, and also mounted on the plunger 352 adjacent the retaining ring 353 is an abutment ring 354 which receives one end of a compression spring 355, the latter being disposed around the plunger 352 and abutting at its opposite end against the shift arm 339.

Formed in the discs 341, 342 are slots 3.56, 357, the slot 35d being adapted to receive the end of a catch plate 35S rigidly secured to the seat casting 23. The release plate 33d is integrally provided with a follower arm 359 and a spring 366 which is also secured to the seat cast ing 23, and thereby biases the follower arm 359, into engagement with the cam 32S so that rotation of the cam 32d will cause the release plate 336 to rock on the shaft 314. Also formed on the release plate 33.6 is a flange 363i and a relief slot 362. The release plate 336 is adapted to engage radially outwardly projecting pins 363, 364 on the discs Sti-l, 342 so as to rotate the latter for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Rotatably secured to the seat casting 23` adjacent the left side thereof by means of a pin 3dS is a left arm casting 366 which is provided with spaced parallel ribs 367, which support spaced aligned bearings 369, 376 for rotatably supporting a drive shaft 371. The drive shaft 3731 is restrained against axial movement by means of set collars 372, 3'73 and provided on one end of the shaft 371i is a universal joint 374 'which couples the shaft 37l with a Trendelenberg drive shaft 375. As best seen by reference to FIG. 20 the Trendelenberg drive shaft 37S is journaled in the left side plate 2S and is provided on its end with a pinion 376 which meshes with the gear 327. Rotatably mounted in the left arm casting 366 by means of bearings 377, 37S, is a crank handle shaft 379 which is provided on its outer end with a crank handle 386, and is coupled at its inner end to the shaft 371 by meansV of a universal joint 331. Also rotatably mounted on a tixedshaft 3552 within the left arm casting 366 is a tilt-indicutor drum 3,33 having a graduated dial face 3,841 which can be observed through a window 385, the latter being retained by an escutcheon plate 386. Wrapped a plurality of turns around the drum 333 is a flexible cable 337 which is slidable in a cable casing 338, the casing 33S being securely held within the arm V3466 by means of a set screw 389. SecuredA to the endof the cable 337 within the arm casting 36s Vis a spring 391 which is also secured to the rib 367 by means of a bolt 392,. A s seen by reference to FIG. 20, the cable extends outwardly of the arm casting 366 and is trained aroundV a shoulder 333 on the lateral tilt yoke 9. The shoulder 393 is in the shape of a circular arc concentric with the axis of Trendelenberg rotation. The cable 387 comes off toward the arm 36o tangent to the arcuate shoulder 393., and the end of the cable 337 projects into a hole in` the lateral tilt yoke 9 and is rigidly secured therein by means of a set screw 394. f

The arm castings 3l, 3de are rigidly connected intermediate their ends by means of a large cross brace 395 so that the arm castings 3l, 3%, and mechanism therein are movable in unison.

The operation and various positions of the operating table will now be described: l

Kidney Elevator The push-button 1&7 is depressed causing the pin 119 to shift the selector drum toward the end wall 33 in f opposition to the force exerted by the compression spring 59 so that the pin 57' on the clutch 58 engages the collar 54 on the selector drum 45. Since the selector drum @Sis operatively connected to the engagement collar 69 by the engagement link 73, movement of the selector drum will also cause the engagement coll-ar 69 to shift out of engagement with the pin 67 on the clutch 66. Furthermore, as the push-button 107. is depressed, it will bear against the arm on the U-shaped'bar 91 to urge the catch plate 37 toward the wall 33 in opposition to the force of the spring 33 until the catch shoulder 125 rides 9 up on and latches` with the upper end of the arm 96. The crank handle 145 may then be rotated so as to drive the shaft 41, the selector drum 45, and gear 51, which, in turn, drives the selector pinion 132, thus rotating the flexible shaft 131. Rotation of the flexible shaft 131 will drive the cani shaft 144 through the meshing gears 142, 143 until the selector drum 45 has rotated to the position wherein the pin 119 is in alignment with the slot 64, whereupon the selector drum 45 will be pushed backwardly by the spring 59. The collar 54 on the selector drum 4S will then be disengaged with the pin 57 on the clutch 58 and the engagement collar 69 can then interlock with the pin 67 on the clutch 66. Continued rotation of the crank handle 140 will, therefore, not drive the flexible shaft 131 and cam shaft 144. During the interval in which the cam shaft 144 was rotating the cam 147 shifted the clutch actuator 160 causing the clutch 177 to engage the sleeve 19t). As the crank handle 146` is rotated the shaft 41 will rotate and drive the shaft 42 which, in turn, rotates the main drive shaft 44 to drive the sprocket 191. The roller chain 255 will drive the sprocket 247 so as to rotate the shaft 246 and worm 248. The Worm 243 drives the gear 249 thus rotating the body elevator drive shaft 250 and the pinions 267a, 26717, drive the racks 263, 264 which, in turn, move the body elevator 267 upwardly and downwardly.

Back-Section In order to elevate or lower the back-section 32, the push-button 199 is depressed urging the selector drum 45 into engagement with the clutch 58 and at the same time the push-button 109 will bear against .the arm 9S on the U-shaped bar 92 and push the catch plate forwardly until the catch shoulder 127 latchingly engages with the upper end of the arm 93. At the same time movement of the catch plate 87 will release the body elevator button 107 allowing it to swing upwardly to its inoperative position. The crank handle 140 lis then rotated so `as to drive the flexible shaft 131 and cam shaft 144 until the pin 121 is in alignment with the slot 65 on the selector drum 45 whereupon the selector drum 45 will shift backwardly so as to operatively clutch the shaft 41 with the main drive shaft 44 in the manner previously described. During rotation of the cam shaft 144 the clutch 177 will disengage the sleeve 19t) thereby cntting out the drive to the body elevator, while at the same time the clutch actuator i159 will be shifted by the cam 149 so that the clutch 176 will drive the sprocket 188. This sprocket 138 will drive the sprocket 233 through the roller chain 252 so as to drive the gears 233, 234, and worm 227 which, in turn, drives the worm wheel 223. Rotation of the worm wheel 22S will drive the shaft 229 so as to drive the gears 275, 276 and thereby operate the back-section arm 235 and shift back-section 32.

During elevation of the back-section arm 285 the roller 282 rides in the circular portion 281of the cam slot 279 and, furthermore, 4the roller 282 will ride in the circular portion 281 during a portion of the downward travel of the back-section artn 235. However, as the back-section 32 is progressively lowered the arm castings 31, 366 would interfere with further downward travel of the back-section 32, but as the back-section 32 approaches the arms 31, 366 the roller 282 will ride in the cord portion 233 of the cam slot 279. Consequently, further rotation of the gear 276 will cause the link 271 to shift linearly and pull the arms 31, 366, downwardly with the back-section 32. Moreover, movement of the link 271 will also shift the pin 271') Iwhich is mounted thereon, and the pin 27) will move along the slot 269 and rock the kidney elevator 267. As a result, if the kidney elevator 267 is thereafter extended it will move outwardly along a path which substantially bisects the angle between the seat and back-sections.

Leg-Section To operate the leg-section the push-button 103 is depressed releasing the push-button 109 so as to clutch in the crank handle 141i with the flexible shaft 1131 through the selector drum 45 in the manner previously described, As the cam shaft 144 rotates the cam 151i will operate the clutch actuator 158 which will, in turn, cause the clutch 175 to engage the sprocket 136. The selector drum 45 will then shift back to the disengaged position upon rotation of the crank handle 141i and further rotation of the crank handle 146 will drive the main drive shaft 44 so as to rotate the sprocket 136. As the sprocket rotates it wiil drive the sprocket 171 through the roller chain 253 which will, in turn, drive the sprockets 170, 243, through roller chain 256. Through shaft 241, the sprocket 242 drives the sprocket 292 through roller chain 291 and thereby rotates the leg-section worm shaft 293 and its associated worm 297. The worm 29"! drives the worm wheel segment 298 and shaft 299 which, through the control ann 33d and link 3&1, lower the leg-section 303.

Lateral Tilt To operate the lateral tilt drive, the push-button 1li)l is depressed releasing the previously depressed push-button and allowing the crank handle `to drive the ilexible shaft i131 and cam shaft 144. The cam 147 will move the clutch actuator `163 so as to shift the clutch 19S into driving engagement with the disc 214. As the selector drum 45 shifts backwardly out of driving engagenient with the clutch 53 rotation of the crank handle 140 will drive the sprockets 139, 213 through the roller chain 254 which will, in turn, drive the shaft 211 and bevel gear 219. The Ybevel gear 219 drives the bevel gear 2211 which rotates lthe worm shaft 15 and causes the Worm 16 to crawl along the gear segment 13. As the worm 16 crawls along the gear segment 13 the lateral tilt yoke `9 will rock about `the shaft 3 so as to tilt the table laterally in either direction.

Flex

To shift the operating table to the lex or reflex position the push-button 156 is depressed releasing the previously depressed push-button and, at the same time, shift the selector drum 45 into engagement with the clutch 5S, allowing the crank handle 14d to drive the flexible shaft 131 and cam shaft 144 in the manner previously described. The cam 149 shifts the actuator 159 which urges the clutch 176 into driving engagement with the sprocket 133 so that the back-section 32 can be driven in the manner previously described when the selector drum 45 is shifted out of engagement with the clutch 53. At the same time the rotation of the cam` shaft 144 will cause the earn 143 4to shift the clutch 'actuator 162 which, in turn, urges the clutch 197 into driving engagement with the collar 212. The sprocket 25S drives the sprocket 313 through the roller chain 312 causing the shaft 314 to rotate. Assuming, for the moment, that the clutch 324 is engaged `with the gear 327 it will oe seen that rotation of the shaft 314 will also cause the cam 334` to rotate and push against the plunger 352. The plunger 352 will bear against the disc 34:12 with the result that continued rotation of the shaft 314 will cause the cam 334 to shift the entire shift yoke assembly 335 along the shaft 31d until the disc 341 is clear of the catch plate 358, whereupon the spring 346 will rotate the disc 341 until the pins 348, 35d, abut each other. The disc 341 `will then abut the catch plate 358 so as to hold the shift yoke assembly 335 in the locked position. As the shift yoke assembly 335 moves in the manner just described, the arm 339 will move the clutch 324 into engagement with the clutch jaw 325 through pin 324:1. Consequently, as the shaft 314 rotates the sprocket 313 will drive the roller chain 319 so as to drive the sprocket 32) `and `sleeve 321. Since the clutch 324i` is in engagement with the clutch jaw 32S the shaft 322 and sprocket 329 will also be driven, and the sprocket 329 vwill drive the sprocket 331 through the roller chain 330 and thereby rotate the Trendelenberg worm 333,. The 'l-rendelenberg worm 333 crawls along the gear segment causing the table to rock about the sleeves 19, 20. As the crank handle 146 is turned in one direction the seat-section 28 will go into reverse Trendelenberg, while the lback-section will, simultaneously therewith, drop downwardly to place the table in the flex position.

Furthermore, as previously pointed out, as the backsection 32 drops downwardly to a predetermined point, the link 27 causes the arm castings 31, 366 to drop downwardly and avoid interference of the back-section 32 with the arm `castings 31, 366. Similarly, the body elevator 267 will be rocked by the link 271 so that if thereafter extended, the body elevator 267 will substantially bisect the angle between the seat-section 28 and backsection 32. By reason of the fact that the arm castings 31 366 drop downwardly, a greater amount of travel of the back-section 32 is permitted and, therefore, the operating table of the present invention is capa-ble of assurn- Trendelenberg while the back-section 32 will be elevated so that the operating table can assume the reflex position.

Proctoscopz'c ln order to place the operating table in the proctoscopic position the push-button i105 is depressed releasing the previously depressed push-button so as to drivingly connect the selector drum 45 with the clutch 58 in the manner previously described. As the crank handle 140 rotates the flexible shaft 131 and cam shaft 144 will rotate allowing the cam 151 to move the clutch actuator 161 so as to cause the clutch 196 to drivingly engage the sprocket 206 while at the same time the cam 150 will shift the clutch actuator `158 to cause the clutch l175 to drive the sprockets i185, 186,. As the selector drum 45 releases, rotation of the crank handle 140 will rotate the main drive shaft 44, driving the sprockets 185, 186, to drive the sprocket 206 through the roller chain 251,. The shaft 202 will then be driven which, in turn, will drive the sprocket 208 to transmit power through the roller chain 312 to the sprocket 313 and shaft 314 and thereby drive the shaft and the Trendelenberg worm 333 and place the table -in Trendelenberg. At the same time, rotation of the crank handle 140 will transmit power through the sprockets 186, 171, 170, 243, 242, 292, through the roller chains 253, 256, 291, and leg-section worm 297. The wor-m 297 will drive the worm wheel 238 and lower the leg-section 303.

In correction with the six drive assemblies previously described it will be apparent that the cams 147, i148, 149, 150, 151, areA mounted on the cam shaft `144 in precisely predetermined relationship to each other and also in relationship to the slots 63, 64, 65, on the selector drum 45. Since the slots 63, 64, 65, are axially offset from each other a predetermined number of degrees, and since there are six actuator pins 1.17, 118, 119, 120, i121, 122, one on each of the push-buttons 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, the selector drum 45 will spring back out of driving engagement from the clutch 58 only at six different angular positions. The predetermined position will, of course, be determined by whichever one of the push-buttons 105, 106, 107, `1018, 109, 110, is depressed. Consequently, the cams 147, 148, 149, 150, `151 will cease rotating in any one of the predetermined six positions so as to shift the several clutch actuators 158, 159, 160, 161 i162, 163, and engage the several clutches i175, 176, 177, 196, 197, 198, in accordance with the particular push-button 165, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, which has been depressed. Therefore, the proper drive system will always be operated each time one of the push-buttons 165, 106, 167, 108, 109, 110

1 .2 is depressed. It will also be apparent that one of the pushbuttons 105, 106, 107, 108 109 110, will always remain in the depressed or operating position.

Trendelenberg Assuming that the operating table had been previously placed in either the flex or proctoscopic position, the clutch 324 will be engaged with the clutch jaw 325 and the shift yoke assembly 335 will be in the locked position against the catch plate 358. The crank handle 380 on the left arm casting 366 is then rotated to drive the Trendelenberg drive shaft 375 and gear 376 which will, in turn, drive the gear 327. As the gear 327 rotates the cam 328 will urge the release plate 336 into engagement with the i, pins 363, 364, and rotate the discs 341, 342, so that the slot 356 is in alignment with the catch plate 358 and the slot 357 is in alignment with the pin 352. The compression spring 337 will move the shift yoke assembly 335 along the shaft 314 and shift the clutch 324 into driving engagement with the gear 327. The gear 327 will then be rotatable with the shaft 322 with the result that Continued rotation of the Trendelenberg drive shaft 375 will rotate the shaft 322 and sprocket 329 to drive the sprocket 331 through the roller chain 330. As the sprocket 331 is driven the Trendelenberg worm 333 will rotate and crawl along the gear segment 10 and thereby move the table into Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg positions, depending upon the direction of rotation of the crank handle 380. As a result, the operating table can at all times be readily placed in Trendelenberg by merely rotating the crank handle 380.

As the table moves to Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg position, the cable 387 will rotate the drum 383 and register the angle of tilt of the operating table. Since the cable 387 comes off tangent to the arcuate shoulder 393 of lateral tilt yoke 9 the number of degrees of rotation of the seat-section 28 will be correspondingly translated to the drum 383 so that a true angle of ti-lt can always be observed through the window 385. Moreover, it will be apparent that the cable 387 will rotate the drum 383 only when the seat-section 28 `is in Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg and will not register any change of angle when the arm castings 31, 366 move with the backsection 32.

If the operating table has previously been shifted to or from Trendelenberg by means of the crank handle 380, and it is thereafter desired to move the table to the ilex or proctoscopic position, the appropriate push-button is depressed so as to operate the selected drive assembly through the crank handle `140 in the manner previously described. The shift yoke assembly 335 will then be shifted along the shaft 314 until it locks behind the catch plate 358 causing the clutch 324 to engage the clutch jaw 3,25. However, it frequently happens that the previous time the operating table was in the flex or proctoscopic position the plunger 352 will be disposed in the slot 357. However, as the shaft 314 begins to rotate and the low point of the cam 334 is reached, the plunger 352 will move forwardly past the disc 342 and allow the spring 347 to rotate the disc 342 and move the slot 357 out of the pathY of the plunger 352. As the shaft 314 and cam 334 continue to rotate and move back toward the high side ofthe Y cam 334, the plunger 352 will abut the disc 342 andpermit yoke assembly 335. However, under these conditions the pin 364 on the disc 342 will contact the flange 361 on the Vrelease plate 336 as the cam 334 pushes the plunger 352 and shift yoke assembly 335 along the shaft 314.

13 Consequently, the pin 364 will move the release plate 336 against the force of the compression spring 338 until the release plate 336 is clear of the cam 328, at which time it will swing out of the path of movement of the shift yoke assembly 335 and allow the shift yoke assembly 335 to move into locked position behind the catch plate 358.

lt is also possible to provide a modified form of right or control arm 440 as shown in FGS. 30-35. Iournaled in the arm 480 at one end by means of a bearing 401 is a selector shaft 462, the other end of which is journaled in a bearing `403 mounted in a push-button housing 404, the latter being mounted in an opening 495 in the arm 489. Shiftably mounted on the shaft 402 is a selector sleeve 496 which includes a pair of spaced ball bushings 487, 448, and rigidly mounted on the shaft 402 intermediate the ball bushings 407, 408, is a spring collar 409. Encircling the shaft 402 intermediate the spring collar 469 and ball bushing `467 is a compression spring 410. Mounted on one end of the selector sleeve 486 is a clutch 4M provided with opposed slots 412, 4713, for receiving a pin 414 which extends diameterally through the selector shaft 482. Rotatably mounted on the pin 414 are spaced rollers 415, 416, which ride in the slots 412, `423. Also mounted in the clutch 411 in spaced parallel relation to the shaft 462 is a clutch pin 417 which is normally biased outwardly by means of a spring 418, and the clutch pin 4l7 is adapted to engage in any one of a plurality of holes 419 formed in a collar 424. The collar 429 is rotatable on the shaft 482 and is provided With a gear 421. Rigidly mounted on the shaft 462 adjacent the gear 421 is a gear 422 which meshes with a selector pinion 423 mounted on the end of a flexible shaft 131', the flexible shaft 131 being rotatable in a bearing `424. The flexible shaft '131' extends through the arm 400 and into the seat casting 23 for operative connection to the cam shaft `144 in the same manner as the flexible shaft 131 previously described.

Also rotatably mounted in .the 4arm casting 460 by means of bearings 425, 426, is a shaft 427 provided on one end with a universal joint 428 connected to one end of a main drive shaft 44 which extends into the seat casting '23 in the same manner as, and for the same purpose as, the main drive shaft 44, previously described. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 427 is a sleeve 429 which is rigidly provided with a gear 430, and the sleeve 429 is also provided with a hole 431 for receiving -a pin 432 rigidly mounted in and projecting outwardly from a clutch 433. The clutch 433 :is keyed to the shaft 427 for slidable movement .therealong, and encircling the shaft 427 is a compression spring 434 which biases the clutch 433 to the left, reference being made to FIG. 30.

Shiftably mounted in the arm casting 430 by means of bearings 435, 436, and being in spaced parallel relation to the shafts 402, 427, is a shift rod 437 which is rigidly provided with a pair of spaced shift forks 438, 439, for shifting the clutch 433, and for purposes presently more fully appearing. Also rotatably mounted in the arm casting 488 by `means of bearings 440, 441., is a shaft 442 which is disposed in spaced parallel relation to the shafts 492, 427, and rigidly mounted on the shaft 422 is a pinion 443 which meshes with the gear 421 and a second pinion 444 which meshes with the gear 430. At the end opposite the gear 444 the `shaft 442 is provided with a universal joint 445 which couples the shaft 442 to an offset handle shaft 446, the outer end of which is provided with a crank handle 447.

Threaded into the push-button housing 404 are bolts 449, 458, 451, provided with sleeves 452, 453, 454, which bear against the housing 444. Mounted on the bolts 449, 458, 45E., is a catch plate 455 which is held in outwardly spaced parallel relation to the housing 404 by means of the spacer sleeves 452, 453, 454, As seen by reference to FIG. 34 the bolts 449, 45d, 451, project through elongated slots 456, 457, 458, which are formed in the catch plate 455, and secured at one end to the sleeves 453, 454, are tension springs 459, 469, the other ends of which are secured to spring studs 461, 462, mounted on the catch plate 455. The catch plate 455 is, furthermore, provided with an elongated central slot 463 which loosely receives :the selector shaft 402. Formed in the push-button housing 494 are six sockets 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, for slidably receiving six push-buttons 479, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, and disposed around the push-buttons 47), 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, are compression springs 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, which are also positioned in the sockets 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, and abut the end walls thereof. Mounted in `and projecting radially outwardly from each pushbutton 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, is a pin 482 which rides between a pair of spaced parallel pins 483, 484, so as to prevent the push-buttons `from rotating Within the housing 444. It will be apparent from FIG. 34 that there are six pairs `of pins 483, 484, one for each of the pushbuttons. Each of the push-buttons is, funthermore, provided with ya collar 485 and fa conical cam shoulder 486 which define a groove 487, and the ends yof each of the push-buttons project through holes 488,. 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, which are formed in the catch plate 455.

The selector sleeve 486 is formed with an end flange 494 upon which a selector plate 495 is rigidly secured by means of a plurality of screws 496. As seen by reference to FIG. 33 the selector plate 495 is, furthermore, provided with a pair of spaced holes 497, 498, which are adapted to receive the ends of the push-buttons 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, as will presently more fully appear.

ln use and operation, if it is desired to drive the backsection 32 the push-button 47) is depressed causing the collar 485 to cam the catch plate 455 laterally until the push-button 478 has been depressed far enough to allow the catch plate 455 to snap into the notch 487 thereon under the action of the springs 459, 46). When the push-button 470 is in its fully depressed position its end will bear again the selector plate 495 and thereby urge the selector sleeve 466 along the shaft 402 in opposition to the force of the compression spring 410. This movement of the selector sleeve 466 will shift the clutch 4M into engagement with the sleeve 420 and at the same time canse the shift rod 437 to move and shift the clutch 433 along the shaft 427 in opposition to the force of the compression spring 434. As the clutch 433 is thus shifted it will move out of driving engagement with the sleeve 429 so that upon rotation of the crank handle 447 the pinion 443 will drive the gear 421 which will, in turn, rotate the selector sleeve 406 and gear 422. The gear 422 will drive the selector pinion 423 to rotate the flexible shaft 231. The pinion 444 will also drive the gear 438 but since the clutch 433 has been shifted to its disengaged position, rotation of the crank handle 447 will merely cause the gear 43o to rotate freely on the shaft 427 and no power will be transmitted to the drive shaft 44'. When the selector sleeve 486 and selector plate 495 have rotated to the point where the hole 498i is in alignment with the end of the push-button 470, the spring 410 will shift the selector sleeve 496 to its released position allowing the selector plate 495 to slide over the end of the push-button 470, such that it projects through the hole 498. As the selector sleeve 496 moves to released position it will carry with it the clutch 411 and shift forks 438, 439, so as to release the clutch 411 from engagement with the sleeve 424i and at the same time allow the spring 434 to urge the clutch 433 into engagement with the sleeve 429. Rotation of the crank handle 447 will then transmit power through the pinion 444 and gear 430 which will, in turn, drive the shaft 427 and main drive shaft 44 to elevate or lower the back-section of the operating table. The pinion 443 will also rotate the gear 423i but since the latter is not clutched with the shaft 482 the gear 421 will merely rotate freely thereon.

When it is desired to place the operating table in the flex or reiiex position the push-button 471 is depressed pushing the selector plate 495 and selector sleeve 406 aoaaovi forwardly in the manner just described, and as the pushbutton is `depressed to its fullest extent the catch plate 455 will ride up on a conical cam portion 4%6 and hold the catch plate 45S out of engagement with the notch 487 on the push-boton 470. The push-button spring 479 will then urge the push-button 470 back to its-non-operating position. The crank handle 447 is then rotated to drive the exible shaft 1 31 until the hole 497 in the selector plate 49.5 is in alignment with the push-button 471 whereupon the selector sleeve 406 will shift to its released position and permit the crank handle 447 to drive the oper` ating table into the eX position. The lateral tilt pushbutton 472, the leg-selection push-button 473, the proctoscopic push-button 474, and the body elevator push-button'475 may be operated in the same manner. Furthermore, it will be apparent that one of the several pushbuttons will always remain in the depressed or operative position.

It will also be apparent that the selector plate 49S allows six diterent angular positions of the selector sleeve 496 since the inner hole 497 can interlock with the pushbuttons 471, 474, while the outer hole will interlock with the push-buttons 47d, 472, 473, 475. Since the cams 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, are precisely related with respect to the angular position of the selector drum 406, the cams 147, 14S, 149, 15), 151, will always be properly oriented to permit operation of the drive as predetermined by the particular push-button depressed.

It should be understood that changes and modiiications in the form. construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the operating table may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A11 operating table comprising a base, an articulated top portion operatively mounted on said base and including a center-section, said top portion also including an additional section swingably mounted adjacent each i end of the center-section, driving means for laterally tilting said top portion, driving means for independently swinging each of said additional sections longitudinally, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the center-section in one direction and swinging one of said additional sections in the other direction, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the centersection in one direction and swinging the other of said additional sections in the other direction, a body elevator operatively mounted intermediate the center-section and one of said additional sections, driving means for moving said body elevator outwardly of the top portion, a main shaft for operating each of said driving means, means including a single manually operable crank for driving 'said' main shaft, selector shaft means operatively interposedbetween said crank Iand main shaft, push-button controlled means for drivingly connecting said crank to said selector shaft means and at substantially the same time disconnect the drive from the crank to the main shaft whereby rotation of the crank will pre-select one of said drives for operation therewith, said push-button controlled means also being adapted to disconnect the drive from the crank to said selector shaft means, and at substantially the same time drivingly connect said crank to said main shaft, thereby permitting said crank to operate the pre-selected drive.

'2. An operating table comprising a base, an articulated top portion operatively mounted on said base and including a seat-section, said top portion also including a `leg-section swingably mounted adjacent one end of the seat-section and a back-section swingably mounted adiacent the other end of the seat-section, a pair of arms rockably secured to the seat-section and extending outwardly therefrom in downwardly spaced relation to said back-section, driving means for laterally tilting said top portion, driving means for independently swinging the leg and back-sections, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the seat-section in one direction and swinging the back-section in the other` direction, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the seat-section inone direction and swinging the leg-section in the other direction, a body elevator operatively mounted between the seat and back-sections, driving means for moving said body elevator outwardly of said top portion, means including a single crank on one of said `arms for actuating each of said driving means, and means including a single crank on the other of said arms for longitudinally tilting said top portion into Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg positions.

3. An operating table comprising fa base, -an articulated top portion operatively mounted on said base and including `a seat-section, said top portion `also including a leg-section swingably mounted adjacent one end of the seat-section and a back-section swingably mounted adjacent the other end of the seat-section, a pair of Iarms rockably secured to the seat-section and extending outwardly therefrom in downwardly spaced relation to said backsection, driving means. for laterally tilting said top portion, driving means for independently swinging the leg and back-sections, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the seat-section in one direction and swinging the back-section in the other direction, driving means for simultaneously longitudinally tilting the seat-section in one direction and swinging the leg-section in the other direction, a body elevator operatively mounted between the seat and back-sections, driving means for moving said body elevator outwardly of said top portion, means including a single crank on one of said arms for actuating each of said driving means, selector means operable through said single crank for preselecting any one of said driving means for operation by said crank, said selector means including a plunality of push-buttons each being operatively related to one of said driving means, said push-buttons being mounted on said last mentioned arm, and means including a single crank on the other of said larms for longitudinally tilting said top portion into Trendelenberg `and reverse Trendelenberg positions.

4. An operating table comprising a base, an articulated top portion operatively mounted on said base and including a seat-section, said top portion also including a back-section swingably mounted `adjacent one end of the seat-section, a pair of arms swingably mounted adjacent said one end of said seat-section and extending'in y downwardly spaced relationto said back-section, driving means for lowering said back-section, said driving means being operable by a single crank mounted on one of said arms, link means operativelyl connected to the driving means Vand to said arms, and cam-operated means operatively connecting said link means and driving means for allowing said arms to remain immobile as the backsection is lowered to a predetermined point at which point the cam-operated means causes the link means to move the arms downwardly` in unison with the backsection.

5. An operating table comprising a base, an articulated top portion operatively mounted on said base and including a seat-section, said top portion also including a backsection swingably mounted adjacent one end of the seatsection, 'a body elevator operatively mounted intermediate said seat-section `and back-section, driving means Yfor moving said body elevator outwardly of said seat and backsections, driving means for lowering said back-section, rocking means for rocking said body elevator as the backsection is driven so that when extended, the body elevator will substantially bisect the angle between the back and seat-sections when the back-section is lowered below a predetermined point, said rocking means being operatively connected to said last-named driving means, said rocking means including a body elevator shaft rotatably mounted in said seat-section, ya pair of rack guides rockably mounted on said shaft and spaced upwardly therefrom, and a pair of rack bars shiftably mounted in said rack 

